Kansas State crushes SSU, 92-61

LOCAL COLLEGES

Kansas State guard Jacob Pullen (0) is fouled by Savannah State guard Preston Blackmon (1) as he puts up a shot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Jacob Pullen scored 24 points in his return from a three-game suspension, and No. 17 Kansas State coasted to a 92-61 victory over Savannah State on Monday night in the Wildcats' final tune-up before Big 12 play.

Pullen, a preseason All-American, was 7 of 8 from the field in the first half and hit three 3-pointers, showing little rust after missing three games for receiving impermissible clothing benefits from a local department store.

The game was tied at 18 before Pullen went to work, and he capped a 19-point run prior to halftime with a nifty drive and left-handed layup at the buzzer, after Kansas State coach Frank Martin had called timeout with 4.7 seconds left to set up the final play.

Kansas State (12-3) led 46-35 at halftime and simply wore down the Tigers (2-15) after that.

The Armstrong Atlantic State University men's basketball team exploded for a big second half in claiming a 95-68 Peach Belt Conference victory over Flagler on Monday at Alumni Arena.

The Pirates (7-3, 1-1 PBC) led by just one, 40-39, at the break after Flagler (7-3, 1-1 PBC) scored the last four points of the half. But after intermission, Armstrong opened up the half outscoring the Saints, 25-8, over the first seven and a half minutes to pull away for the 27-point victory.